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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Ankh-Morpork Guard" data-source="post: 1865153" data-attributes="member: 10079">Chapter 54: HaladinAfter six hours, Caars was ready to go. All of them were given the robes to wear, and Akan found it interesting that under the main heavy robe was a light almost leather-like material. Spread out along the material were small cooling units. The mask also had this, and a water pack was hidden underneath the robes near the belt with a tube connected to the face mask. Something was bothering Akan, though. On their way to Arranis, Landau had emphasized that there was less water on this planet than Tatooine...yet, it seemed like there was no problem at all getting a hold of it. Again, something was missing in the chain.    Without any words spoken, they had left the small cave and began the navigation of the rocks, ledges, and sharp drop offs that led to Haladin. Though they didn’t speak, Shadow was constantly complaining(mentally) about still being human. She’d not fallen over at all, but the thing she was complaining about the most was being the shortest. Eventually, it just devolved into her thinking in a language Akan didn’t understand. Strangely entertaining to listen to while trudging through such horrid terrain.    Caars led them through pathways that led up to the highest of the rock faces. The paths wound back and forth as they slowly rose upwards. From a distance, they would be impossible to see. Even up close, Akan had a little trouble keeping on the actual path and not falling off and having that wonderful fall down the jagged surface to the next ledge about forty meters below. But thankfully, they were reaching a ledge that Akan had figure was the ‘top’ as it were.    He was soon proved right, though taking up the back of the group with Shadow meant that everyone else knew first. The rock ledge did level off into a huge plateau that expanded to the horizon. Well, not all the way. The horizon was quickly cut off by the risings of a large stone wall with buildings that topped it within. The architecture was strangely similar to that of Tatooine, or perhaps it was just the sand blasted color of the wall that gave that effect. The turbolaser batteries were easy things to see, though most of them were well defended again rocks or in small valleys that cut through the top of the plateau. The designer of Haladin’s defenses was an extremely intelligent tactician. It looked so much more open to attack than it really was...of course, the designer did not seem to expect an attack from the ground. Evident from the report of how the city was lost, and the ease of their approach.    “Stay close, stay quiet, and don’t attract attention,” Hansen commented over her shoulder as they approached.    “Where are we going, exactly?” Landau asked.    Caars was the one to respond, albeit quietly through the mask, “A safe house of sorts. Get updates there on where the woman is, then go from there.”    Akan and Voort both ended that in the minds with a simple, ‘but not with Caars’. Not that they didn’t trust him, but he had nothing to do with this. Though Akan didn’t exactly care about Hansen going, she knew the planet and Landau trusted her. Somehow, Akan felt he could trust the man. Unlike Voort, Landau had an aura about him that just showed him to be an honest man. No matter how many times he tried to convince himself that the Empire was full of evil men, someone like Landau would show up and prove that it was like anything else. People fought for the Empire for the same reasons people fought for the Rebellion. For a great many, that was family. Landau was like that.    Upon entering the opening in the wall that was the entrance to the town, they were all surprised. Well, except for Hansen and Caars. But the others had expected to at least see guards. Nothing. Sure, there were people walking here and there, some speaking next to buildings or conducting whatever kind of business they did. None of the humans they passed wore the heavy robes or masks. Instead, they wore light, comfortable looking clothing. In fact, the city itself was much more modern looking on the inside. Consoles against buildings, older landspeeders and even a couple of airspeeders were parked in a local garage that they walked by. There were no buildings that seemed to indicate a central defensive structure as had been expected, and the only way Voort had identified the old Imperial garrison building was a sand blasted and faded insignia.    About three blocks from that building, Caars led them to a small building that looked like a good place for a shop, considering the market stands that were all along the street side. They entered the building, and Hansen waited until last to step in and make sure the door was locked. Once that was done, Caars removed his hood and mask. The others followed suit, looking around the small room that was only decorated by a faded green coat of paint and beat up chairs. Caars motioned for them to sit, which Landau, Hansen, and Shadow did. Akan had thought about it, but Shadow had taken the seat he’d been eyeing. He knew she did it on purpose.    [There’s still sand in my hair...] she grumbled one last complaint out and dusted herself off.    Caars walked over to console near the wall and accessed some information. Voort found himself checking the room. Not noticeably, but he was looking over every inch in a casual way...just in case. Akan had noticed it, but said nothing. Even if he didn’t trust Voort, checking for any kind of listening devices or anything similar was a good idea.    “There’s a report of an airspeeder being prepared to leave to the deep desert in an hour,” Caars said over his shoulder.    “This is unusual?” Voort asked, running an idle hand along the rough textured wall.    Landau was the one to answer that, “Two things wrong with it, if you ask me.”    “Anything interesting?” Shadow asked, sounding bored though she was obviously trying to find some kind of entertainment out of it.    “First, other than the random Topsider settlement, there’s nothing out in the deep desert,” Landau commented, giving Shadow a look and obviously trying to alleviate her boredom, “Second, the sand always gave us trouble with any kind of airspeeder. We brought them down at first, but the intakes got clogged too easily. Combat landspeeders never had the problem, but it was pointless to go exploring out there.”    At that, Caars nodded, “We’ve gotten reports for the last few weeks of more activity out in the deep desert.”    Akan and Voort exchanged looks, thinking the same thing. Sadrak. This time, it was Akan’s turn to ask a question, “Where’s she being held at the moment?”    Caars turned back to the console, then said over his shoulder, “The old Imperial detention center. There’s only two cells left in there...looks like they’ll be moving her soon.”    Shadow was the first one to stand up and start towards the door, “Well, what are we waiting for?!” quickly she pulled the mask back on and got the hood up, “Lets go! I’ve had it with all this talking!”</blockquote>

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